Stamped!

On, Wisconsin!

University of Wisconsin–Madison

North Hall, built in 1851 to a design by John F. Rague, was the university's first building and still stands on Bascom Hill.

  • 5Buildings
  • 3Traditions
  • 1851Oldest · North Hall
  • 1928Newest · Memorial Union

Planning the visit

  • Fly intoDane County Regional Airport (MSN)

    Dane County Regional Airport, northeast of downtown Madison, is the city's airport.

  • Getting aroundWalking / Madison Metro

    Madison Metro buses cross campus, and students ride with a university bus pass.

  • Colors and teams

    The school colors are cardinal and white, and the teams are the Badgers.

5 buildings to stamp

  1. Science Hall
    Photo: James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Science Hall

    550 N Park St, Madison, WI 53706

    Henry C. Koch and Allan Conover designed this Romanesque hall, built in 1888 with sixteen corbelled brick chimneys. It is a National Historic Landmark.

    Built
    1888
    Architect
    Henry C. Koch and Allan Conover
    Style
    Romanesque
    Today
    Classrooms and Offices
  2. Red Gym
    Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Red Gym

    716 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706

    Allan Conover and Lew F. Porter designed this Romanesque Revival armory and gymnasium, built in 1894. It looks like a red brick castle on the shore of Lake Mendota.

    Built
    1894
    Architect
    Allan Conover and Lew F. Porter
    Style
    Romanesque Revival
    Today
    Student Services Offices
  3. Memorial Union
    Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Memorial Union

    800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706

    Arthur Peabody designed this Italian Renaissance Revival union, built in 1926–28 on Lake Mendota. Its Terrace by the water is a popular gathering place.

    Built
    1928
    Architect
    Arthur Peabody
    Style
    Neo-Renaissance
    Today
    Student Union
  4. Washburn Observatory
    Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Washburn Observatory

    1401 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706

    David R. Jones designed this Italianate observatory, completed in 1881. It was a major research center for about 50 years, and its telescope is still used by students and the public.

    Built
    1881
    Architect
    David R. Jones
    Style
    Italianate
    Today
    Honors Program and Observatory
  5. North Hall
    Photo: Slambo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    North Hall

    Bascom Hill, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706

    John F. Rague designed this Greek Revival hall, built in 1851 as the university's first building. It now houses the Department of Political Science.

    Built
    1851
    Architect
    John F. Rague
    Style
    Greek Revival
    Today
    Political Science Department

3 traditions to check off

Stamped! keeps these as a checklist, so you can tick each one off on the visit.

  • Abe Lincoln on Bascom Hill

    The seated Abraham Lincoln statue in front of Bascom Hall is a highlight of commencement weekend photos. Take your picture beside him at the top of the hill.

  • Terrace Sunburst Chairs

    The sunburst chairs on the Memorial Union Terrace are one of the university's best-known symbols. Sit in one by Lake Mendota.

  • Babcock Hall Ice Cream

    Ice cream made by the university's dairy at Babcock Hall is a student staple and a visitor favorite. Try a scoop.

Know University of Wisconsin–Madison well?

Students and alumni know the traditions best. Suggest one we're missing, a building worth a stamp, or a fix. Every suggestion is checked against a source before it goes into the app.

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Stamp all 5 on your visit.

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